TRAY SPUR
Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests
1755 Cleveland Highway
Gainesville, GA 30501
770 297-3000
Tray Mountain, with an elevation of 4,430 feet, is the seventh-highest peak in Georgia. The summit is located a short distance from Helen and serves as the boundary between White and Towns counties. The summit is located in the Tray Mountain Wilderness within the borders of the Chattahoochee National Forest and has limited views to both the north and south from a narrow clearing on the mountain.
We started our hike to Tray Mountain from U.S. Forest Road 79 along the Appalachian Trail in Tray Gap at 3,847 feet. From here it is a short but steep 600 foot climb to the summit. Tray Spur is located just downhill from Tray Mountain and to the right. It is easy to miss – especially in the summer months – but there are outstanding views to the north at the end of the Trail. If you decide to camp here – take water because there is no source. Your other option is to hike to the nearby Tray Mountain Shelter and get water from the spring behind the lean-to.
- click to watch some videos of this hike along the Tray Spur: Moonrise Sunset, Our Stealth Spot, Bear Encounter
- click to view photos of a backpacking trip to Tray Mountain: May 27, 2007, March 10, 2017 (password required)
- click to view a trip report for this hike along the Appalachian Trail: October 10, 1997, May 27, 2007, March 10, 2017 (password required)
- click to view hiking and backpacking maps for this hike near Helen, GA: Tray Mountain Area Map, Tray Mountain Topographical Map (password required), Tray Gap to Sassafrass Gap Profile Map (password required), Chattahoochee Gap to Addis Gap Trail Map (password required), Georgia Appalachian Trail Overview Map (password required), Georgia Appalachian Trail Profile Map (password required)
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- click to access the guidebook Appalachian Trail: Georgia-North Carolina which has details on this destination
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